Airman Spotlight: Staff Sgt. Benjamin Murphy

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  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Name/Rank: SSgt Benjamin Murphy

Job title: Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor

Job description and its impact on the overall mission: Controls and regulates en route and terminal air traffic. Initiates and issues ATC clearances, instructions, and advisories to ensure the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic operating under instrument and visual flight rules. Plans, organizes, directs, inspects, and evaluates ATC activities vital for 25FS, 36FS and ISR missions. Supports joint force operations, coordinates aircraft movement with 11 host nation and military facilities.

Time in the military: 6 ½ years

Time at Osan: 6 months

DEROS: February 2015

Family Members: Wife, Erica

Hometown: Palmer, AK

Hobbies/Interests: Physical fitness, Pinterest

Why did you join the military? I joined the military for new experiences. I had a strong desire to travel the world and to further my education.

Where do you see yourself in 10 - 20 years? I see myself retired after a successful career in the AF, and hopefully relaxing on a beach in a tropical paradise.

What's your favorite AF memory or story? My favorite memory was receiving orders to Osan. I was discouraged initially because my BOP had just been denied, but then I was notified I had the opportunity to go to Korea. I was really excited for the experience of travelling to a foreign country and a base with such a high ops tempo.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? My proudest accomplishment was earning my first facility rating.

Who are your role models? Thomas Edison and Jack Bauer.

Supervisor's additional comments/justification: SSgt Murphy is a knowledgeable and highly skilled Air Traffic Controller, Watch supervisor, and NCO. His air traffic control abilities are critical to the safe launch and recovery of the Wing on a daily basis. In addition to being a "go-to" controller, SSgt Murphy constantly utilizes his expertise to develop the junior controllers on his crew. He was hand selected to be the lead trainer for an Airman experiencing difficulty in training. SSgt Murphy crafted a personalized and in-depth daily training plan to elevate the Airman to success. As a testament to his dedication to the success of his trainee, SSgt Murphy voluntarily utilized 10 off-duty hours towards running simulations to bolster the understanding of training tasks. SSgt Murphy's diligent efforts led to significant progress in the trainee's comprehension, and most importantly the member's confidence and posturing towards position certification. This is just one of the many examples that illustrate that SSgt Murphy is a critical asset to the Wyvern team.